Top 10: Hardest Sports

Top 10: Most Physically Demanding Sports

There is a longstanding debate among men over which sport is the most demanding. In making the argument, different men will consider different physical characteristics. For example, certain sports rely heavily on the cardiovascular system, and measures like VO2 Max are valid indicators of performance capability. In contrast, other sports won’t rely as heavily on cardiovascular measures but will require more significant displays of speed, agility, strength, or overall durability, all of which place an incredible physical demand on the body.

With consideration to the multi-factorial physical demands of various sports, let’s dive into the top 10 most physically demanding sports. Each sport is ranked on a scale from 1-10, based on the demand placed on four physical attributes or systems: muscular strength and power, speed and quickness, cardiovascular endurance, and overall durability.